The current two-seat Kawasaki Ridge holds a special place in RideApart's hearts, as it represented one of the first UTV launches we attended since stating we'd be opening the doors to the rest of the powersports industry. And, like the Ridge itself, the gamble paid off as both it, and us, are doing reasonably well for ourselves within our respective confines.
But Kawasaki wants more for the Ridge, as well as its customers. Sentiments we, again, share. So undeterred by resting on laurels and already offering a pretty solid UTV, Team Green has teased an all-new Ridge is coming. Something that'll fit at least four people, instead of the current two arrangement.
Oh yes, a Kawasaki Ridge Crew is coming. And it's coming real soon.
Teased with a photo looking outward through the cabin's windshield, you can distinctly see that the Ridge in question has a second seating area, defined by a crossbar denoting the front seats from the rear. If it were anything else, you'd see the back opening that ends in the Ridge's bed. Plus, the name.
For those with trucks, you'll undoubtedly understand the name Crew to mean more than just a single front bench seat. Rather, it means you can bring along your entire crew with you, so the new Ridge Crew will likely seat at least four, possibly five, if Kawasaki makes a bench seat instead of just a 2+2 arrangement.
As for other details, well, there aren't any. But it's safe to say that the Ridge Crew will likely be powered by the same 999cc engine found in the two-door Ridge, pumping out 92 horsepower and 65.6 pound-feet of torque. That said, the additional weight of the four-door Ridge Crew might mean that Kawasaki had to bump the ponies up a bit to offset the weight.
Likewise, pricing isn't yet available, but the four-door will probably be slightly more expensive than the two, as is the case with almost every UTV on the market. The current MSRP on the base model Kawasaki Ridge Ranch Edition is $23,999, for what it's worth.
So we come to when Kawasaki will launch the new Ridge Crew, which is January 21st, so only two weeks away at the time of writing. I'm stoked to see the full debut and new UTV because, as I said above, the two-door holds a special place among us editors. Plus, it's a good UTV.
Bring it on, Kawasaki.
